Another cold front is expected to brace our shores this Thursday, that is just the second of 2 more, expected this month, before the 19th July 2024.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has revised its warning in some parts of the country, such as in the Cape Winelands, where a level 8 warning was issued. Disruptive rain is expected on Thursday this week.
Meanwhile heavy rains and strong winds wreaked havoc and disrupted electricity supply in Cape Town, flooding the Cape Flats, including Dunoon, Kalk Bay, Masiphumelele, Philippi, Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, Overcome Heights, Mfuleni and Mitchells Plain.
There were minor rockfalls in Miller’s Point and Simons Town.
In a statement, the City of Cape Town said its departments of Water & Sanitation, Urban Mobility, Urban Waste Management and Recreation & Parks are clearing roadways, unblocking drains and removing fallen trees and debris in affected areas.
NGOs are assisting with humanitarian relief in the form of blankets, hot meals, hygiene packs, and baby packs.
Inclement weather has disrupted electricity supply in Gqeberha
In Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth), The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality said several power outages in the Metro, were caused by inclement weather.
The Municipality’s Sthembiso Soyaya, said “at Motherwell Main substation, Transformer T3 with 132kV and 22kV circuit breakers have tripped affecting Motherwell and surrounding areas.
At Market Square substation, Lower Cannon 11kV circuit breakers tripped affecting Central Kariega and surrounding areas.
At Fitchets Corner substation, Blue Horizon Bay 22kV circuit breakers have tripped affecting Fitchets Corner and Blue Horizon Bay.
At Struandale/Ysterhout substation, Mini 6kV circuit breakers have tripped. This outage is affecting Vista University, Missionvale, and surrounding areas.”
The trip at the Bloemendal substation, affected the Hibiscus 11kV circuit breakers, led to an outage to several areas, including, Cherry South/North, Anthurium, Burberry, Impatience, Kleinskool Extensions 32, 33, 34, 35 & 36, Limburg, Oder, Bethelsdorp Police Station and St Elizabeth.
Soyaya said although staff is attending to outages, there is no timeframe for the restoration of supply.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Cape, graders were brought in to clear blankets of snow from the R58, to make way between Barkly and Elliot.
This as strong winds continue to wreak havoc in the Province.
A truck overturned due to strong winds near Dutywa, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, shared a video of the incident.
How is the cold affecting wild animals?
Various nature reserves took to social media to show animals were coping well with the cold weather.
Ian Ferreira of St Lucia Birding Tours, showed how Crested Guinea fowls were busking in the sun, in a very cold Zululand.
The Dyer Island Cruises, raved about their weekend Marine Big 5 tour, where visitors encountered 5 Humback whales, Cape Fur Seals and African Penguins on Dyer Island.
Aquila Private Game Reserve showcased mountain zebras interacting in the snow.
Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve Wildlife said a chilly weekend provided an opportunity for animal sightings.
Picture: Lynn Scott
Cover Picture : Eastern Cape Department of Transport